Mechanism for folding and angle-adjusting belt frame of treadmills

ABSTRACT

A treadmill includes a treadmill that comprises a base and a belt frame has a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end of the belt frame is a free end. An endless belt is mounted to the belt frame. A support frame is pivotably connected to the base and is driven by a mechanism so that the support frame can be pivoted relative to the base to lift the first end of the belt frame to adjust the inclination of the belt frame. The support frame may support and lift the whole belt frame to fold the belt frame upright.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism that adjusts the inclination angle of the belt frame and folds the belt frame upright.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional treadmill generally includes a base, a belt frame which has one end pivotably connected to the base and an endless belt is connected to the frame. The endless belt can also be driven by a motor so that the users set desired speed of the belt to exercise.

The conventional treadmills generally includes a function of adjustment of the inclination of the belt frame so as to provide different slope for the belt frame. A common way to adjust the inclination of the belt frame employs a mechanism that raises one end of the belt frame. However, such mechanism can only be used for the adjustment of the belt frame and cannot be used for folding the belt frame.

In order to save the space occupied by the treadmill, some treadmills are equipped with a folding device which allows the frame to be pivoted relative to the base. U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,679 discloses a folding mechanism which uses a motor and a threaded rod which is driven by the motor and a connection member pivotably connected to the belt frame is movably mounted to the threaded rod so that when the threaded rod is rotated by the motor, the connection member pivots the frame. It is noted that the folding mechanism can only be used for folding the belt frame and is not able to adjust the inclination of the belt frame. Similarly, another prior art shown in FIG. 10, discloses a similar folding mechanism which is duly used for folding the belt frame 50.

The present invention intends to provide a mechanism which includes a support frame driven by a motor and the support frame may fold and adjust the belt frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a treadmill which comprises a base and a belt frame has a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end of the belt frame is a free end. An endless belt is mounted to the belt frame. A support frame is pivotably connected to the base and is driven by a mechanism so that the support frame can be pivoted relative to the base. The support frame may also pivot the belt frame upright.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the treadmill of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the belt frame is adjusted to have a large angle relative to the floor;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the treadmill as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the belt frame is adjusted to have a small relative to the floor;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the treadmill as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows that the belt frame is folded by the support frame;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the treadmill in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows that the belt frame is folded upright;

FIG. 9 is a side view to show the treadmill as disclosed in FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 shows the frame is pivoted relative to the base of the treadmill by the folding device of a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the treadmill of the present invention comprises a base 10 with two posts 11 extend from the two side rails of the base 10 and a control panel 13 is connected between the two posts 11. A belt frame 20 has a first end pivotably connected to the base 10 and a second end of the belt frame 20 is a free end which has two wheels connected to an underside thereof. A support deck 22 is connected to the belt frame 20 and two pairs of rollers 23, 24 are connected on the two sides of the belt frame 20 and located corresponding to two ends of the support deck 22. An endless belt 21 reeves through the two pairs of rollers 23, 24 and the support deck 22 is located beneath an upper portion of the endless belt 21, so that the user may run on the moving endless belt 21 and the load is supported on the support deck 22.

A support frame 30 is pivotably connected to the base 10 by two links 12 which are pivotably connected between the two posts 11 and the support frame 30. Two sides of the support frame 30 are located beneath of the tow sides of the belt frame 20 and two wheels 31 are connected to an underside of the two sides of the free end of the support frame 30. In this embodiment, the belt frame 20, the base 10 and the support frame 30 shares a common pivot axis.

A mechanism 40 for driving the support frame 30 to be pivoted relative to the base 10 includes a motor 42, a variator 41 connected to the motor 42, an output shaft 43 connected to the variator 41 and an active wheel 44 connected to the output shaft 43. A passive wheel 45 is engaged with the active wheel 44 and located on the pivot axis of the support frame 30. In this embodiment, the active wheel 44 includes first teeth 440 which are engaged with second teeth 450 on the passive wheel 45.

By pivoting the support frame 30, the first end of the belt frame 20 can be adjusted relative to the floor so as to set different angles and inclination of the belt frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 3-6. It is noted that the posts 11 are pivoted relative to the base 10 when the support frame 30 is rotated relative to the base 10 so that the control panel 13 can also be adjusted together with the adjustment of the belt frame 20 and this is convenient for the users to use the control panel 13.

Further referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the treadmill further includes a driving device 50 for driving the rollers 23 so as to drive the endless belt 21. The driving device 50 includes a motor 51 which has a first pulley 52, and a second pulley 53 is connected to the roller 23 that is driven by the motor 51. A transmission belt 54 reeves through the first and second pulleys 52, 53 so that the power of the motor 51 is transferred to the first pulley 52 via the transmission belt 54 to drive the endless belt 21. When the support frame 30 keeps on pivoting about the pivot axis, it touches the two sides of the belt frame 20 and pivots the belt frame 20 upward till the belt frame 20 is pivoted to upright position.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A treadmill comprising: a base; a belt frame having a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end which is a free end; an endless belt mounted to the belt frame; a support frame pivotably connected to the base, and a mechanism driving the support frame to be pivoted relative to the base, the support frame pivoting the belt frame.
 2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a motor, a variator connected to the motor, an output shaft connected to the variator and an active wheel connected to the output shaft, a passive wheel is driven by the active wheel and located on a pivot axis of the support frame.
 3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the active wheel includes first teeth which are engaged with second teeth on the passive wheel.
 4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the belt frame, the base and the support frame shares a common pivot axis.
 5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein two wheels are connected to an underside of a free end of the belt frame.
 6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein two posts extend from the base and two links are pivotably connected between the two posts and the support frame, the posts are pivoted relative to the base when the support frame is rotated relative to the base.
 7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 6, wherein a control panel is connected between the two posts.
 8. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a support deck is connected to the belt frame and two pairs of rollers are connected on the two sides of the belt frame and located corresponding to two ends of the support deck, the endless belt reeves through the two pairs of rollers and the support deck located beneath an upper portion of the endless belt.
 9. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a driving device which drives one of the rollers so as to drive the endless belt.
 10. The treadmill as claimed in claim 9, wherein the driving device includes a motor which has a first pulley, a second pulley is connected to the roller that is driven by the motor, a transmission belt reeves through the first and second pulleys. 